When I decided to change the name of my coaching practice to IN THE PINK COACHING, I received mixed reviews, giggles, and raised eyebrows. I have a feeling people may be talking about me behind my back.  (But that’s a good thing).  I have been operating for years under a name that is not only unremarkable, but a tongue twister as well:  Growth Quest Coaching.

One night at a Women In Business meeting, one woman was brave enough to share the hard truth.  She said, “You need to change the name of your business.  I can never remember it and it has nothing to do with what you do”.  She was politely poked by another member, indicating she should be quiet. 

Rather than being offended, I took her words to heart.  Now I am saying thank you, thank you, and thank you again.  Ever since I read the book, The Purple Cow by Seth Godin, I have been pondering how to make Growth Quest remarkable.  The answer is, I can’t and should stop trying.  What I need is a new name that in itself is remarkable.  I think I found it. 

Giving credit where credit is due, I met a man who shared a dreaded mistake that became his best marketing move ever.    He transports heavy equipment to work sites for contractors.  He ordered a new truck that upon arrival was painted in the wrong color.  He found himself the proud owner of a bright pink truck.  Needing the truck right away, he decided to keep it. He very quickly became known as the guy with the pink trucks.  The mistake created a market buzz and branded his company.

What can you do to make your business remarkable?

To help you take your self inventory the following format is offered.

Consider each area.  Rate yourself with a number from one to 10.  The one would represent very poor/unacceptable and the 10 represents excellent/no improvements needed. 

Education/Knowledge - indicate your preparation level in this area relative to your objective.  For example if you are looking for a new joy or career, how much do you know about the sought after position?  Do you have the knowledge and skills needed to perform well in the desired postion.  If you are seeking a new relationship partner, where can you find people who are members of the target population - where do they hang out - where do they live - etc.  Also, are you currently at an educational level that would appeal to your target.  Remember you are selling yourself.  In marketing, it is always important to know as much as you possibly can about your target market. 

Appearance - Be honest.  Are you at your best?  One does not have to be Mr. Universe or Ms. America, one just needs to be at one's best.  Would you put a product out on the market before it is ready?  You can test market a product before releasing it, but it is important to make sure the product is a good as it can get before releasing it.  In other words, are you at your best?

Pysical Fitness - Are you in shape or are you a couch potatoe?

Health - How is your health? Do you take care of yourself?  If you have health problems are you managing them?

Wardrobe/Style - A whole new wardrobe is not required, but do you have some contemporary items in your wardrobe?  Do you have at least 2 outfits you can put on and know you look fabulous?  The objective is to present your product (you) in an attractive package.  Think about it, when you receive a gift that is attractively wrapped, even perhaps uniquly wrapped it is much more interesting than something presented in a brown paper bag, or a plastic shopping bag.  Now the brown paper bag can be made into an interesting and attractive method of presentation.  Those items are called accessories.  Accessories are a great way update existing items in your wardrobe.

Availability - Simple, are you available both emotionally and physically?

Emotional Intelligience - Do you have emotional savvy?  Do you get along with others?  Do you know how to handle conflict?  Do you manage relationships well?  Do you know how to deal with underperforming employees or overbearing bosses?  Do you fall apart when confronted or criticised, or do you take it in stride and consider whether it carries any merrit and improvements are in order?

Communiction Skills - Are you interesting?  Can you initiate a good converstaion?  How about your written presentation skills?  Do you know how to use a computer?  Are you Internet savvy? Do you stay abreast of current events so you can contribute to the conversation of the day?

Experience - Do you have the required experience.  Sometimes we underestimate the value of our experience.  Did you know there is a University that awards degrees based upon experience?  Consider whether you have the level of experience needed to obtain your objective.  If not, then either lower the objective, or find a way to get the needed experience.

Now that you have assigned a rating number to each category, go back over the list again.  If there are areas carrying a rating of less than 10, ask yourself what would make it a 10?  Then, is this realistic?  If attaining a 10 is not realistic, then what is your target rating to be the best you can be?  What would it take to get you there.

Set a realistic goal.  For each goal, state an objective and a target date.  It is important that these be measurable.  How will you know when the objective has been met?

Evaluate each category in this manner, setting realistic goals and measurable objectives for each one. 

You are not allowed to work on more than one area at a time.  Prioritize the categories.  Decide which ones are most in need of your immediate attention.  Number them from one to 10 in order of priority.  You can begin to work on the top three.  Once one objective is met, you can cross it off the list and move the next one on your list into your "active" list.

Why not work on them all at the  same time.  Because it would be overwhelming and you would end up with a mess.  Think of it this way....when you get a house ready for market, you do not work on fixing all rooms and the outside all at the same time.  It works better if you tackle one room at the time. 

After my husband died, I felt the need to change my house.  I hired a painter to repaint the inside.  He was not a very efficient worker.  He wanted to do a little here in this room then a little there in that room starting work all over the house without finishing what he had started.  I had a "mell of a hess" on my hands.  I finally told heim he was not to start anywhere else until he finished what he had already started.  I needed to have someplace in the house that was not all torn apart for my boys and I to live.  The same principal applies to getting your personal house "yourself" in order.  Finish what you start before starting something else.  We can truely on ly effectively work on three goals at a time.